Key takeaways:
Alcohol interacts with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Zoloft (sertraline). It’s best to limit or avoid drinking while taking an SSRI.
Combining alcohol with SSRIs such as Zoloft can worsen common antidepressant side effects, such as dizziness and drowsiness. Alcohol can also worsen symptoms of depression.
There’s not much research on whether you can safely drink small or occasional servings of alcohol while taking Zoloft or other SSRIs. Your prescriber can let you know if you should completely avoid alcohol.
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Depression is a common mental health condition. In many cases, antidepressant medications are prescribed to help manage symptoms. And selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Zoloft (sertraline) are often a first choice.
But if you’re taking Zoloft or another SSRI, you may want to think twice before having a few glasses of wine. You shouldn’t combine alcohol and SSRIs because it can cause potentially severe side effects.
Can you drink alcohol when you take Zoloft?
The prescribing information for Zoloft says not to drink alcohol while taking it. This is also true for other SSRIs.
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Drinking alcohol may make Zoloft’s side effects worse. Drinking alcohol can also make the side effects appear more quickly.
How does alcohol interact with Zoloft?
Drinking alcohol affects the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain and spinal cord. Alcohol alters how the brain processes information and can lead to the feeling of being tipsy or drunk. Possible effects of drinking alcohol include drowsiness, slurred speech, and sometimes short-term memory problems.
SSRIs, including Zoloft, also affect the CNS by boosting levels of a chemical called serotonin. Serotonin is involved in many functions of the brain, including mood, sleep, and memory. But shifts in serotonin levels can lead to side effects such as nausea and sleep changes.
Because alcohol and SSRIs both affect the CNS, drinking alcohol with this type of antidepressant can worsen the medication’s side effects. Drinking alcohol, especially chronic consumption, can also worsen depression symptoms. This can make it harder for an SSRI such as Zoloft to work as well as it should.
Combining alcohol and Zoloft can lead to side effects such as:
Nausea
Diarrhea
Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Sexual side effects
Other dietary items to avoid: Alcohol is just one drink that interacts with Zoloft (sertraline). Physicians discuss other foods and drinks to avoid.
Interacting medications: Pharmacists list notable Zoloft interactions to know about — and how to limit or avoid them.
What to expect: Alcohol can worsen certain Zoloft side effects, such as drowsiness. Read more about these side effects and how to manage them.
More serious side effects can also occur when mixing alcohol and Zoloft. One of the major risks with all SSRIs is the potential for suicidal thoughts, especially in people under age 25. The risk of this side effect is also highest shortly after starting or changing the dose of Zoloft. Drinking alcohol impairs judgement, which can be a potentially dangerous situation for a person who is having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self harm.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone, and help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
Is having one drink OK when you’re taking Zoloft?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of research available on how one or two drinks will affect you while taking Zoloft or other SSRIs. As discussed earlier, Zoloft’s prescribing information advises avoiding alcohol altogether.
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If you have questions about drinking while taking an SSRI, it’s best to discuss them with your prescriber. They’ll weigh your unique health history and risks to help you make a safe and healthy choice.
When can you start drinking after you stop taking Zoloft?
It’s important not to skip a dose of Zoloft just so that you can drink alcohol. Missing doses of an SSRI can cause withdrawal symptoms, which can include:
Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and tiredness
Dizziness
Headache
Anxiety
Restlessness
Balance issues
Electric shock sensations
Pins and needles
Irritability
Nausea and vomiting
Additionally, it takes your body several days to fully remove Zoloft. So not taking the medication for just 1 or 2 days will not make drinking alcohol any safer. For the average adult, it takes about 5 to 6 days for the body to clear Zoloft. But it may take longer for older adults or people with liver problems.
If you are interested in stopping your antidepressant, your healthcare team can guide you on how to slowly taper off Zoloft to avoid possible withdrawal effects. And if you’re planning to start consuming alcohol, ask them when it’s safe to have a drink.
Is there a safe way to drink while taking antidepressants?
In short, no, there’s not a safe way to drink while taking antidepressants. It can be dangerous to drink alcohol with certain medications used to manage depression. And every antidepressant has its own unique risks when it comes to alcohol.
For instance, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Cymbalta (duloxetine), can lead to liver damage when taken with alcohol. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, carry a risk of blackouts when combined with alcohol. And drinking while taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as Azilect (rasagiline), can cause dangerously high blood pressure.
Always discuss drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants with your healthcare team first. They can tell you if any amount of alcohol is OK for you to take alongside your medication regimen.
Good to know: There’s no amount of alcohol that’s considered safe for anyone to drink — regardless of whether you take medications. Alcohol use is linked to many health problems, including heart disease and cancer.
Frequently asked questions
No, Zoloft can actually lower your alcohol tolerance. This means you’re more likely to feel “drunk” sooner or more intensely than you would if you weren’t taking it. If you’re just starting Zoloft, be extra careful with how much you drink. Your body will likely react differently to alcohol than it did before you started the medication.
You shouldn’t take Zoloft with other antidepressants that raise serotonin levels. Examples include MAOIs and SNRIs. You should also ask a healthcare professional before combining Zoloft with other medications that increase serotonin levels. These include opioid pain medications, triptan migraine medications, and the over-the-counter supplement St. John’s wort. Zoloft also interacts with blood thinners and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Share a current medication list with your prescriber and pharmacist before starting Zoloft so they can check for interactions.
Yes, it’s generally safe to drink coffee with Zoloft. They aren’t known to interact with each other. In fact, taking Zoloft with your morning cup of coffee can help establish a routine and make it easier to remember your doses. But keep in mind that coffee can make Zoloft’s digestive side effects, such as diarrhea, worse for some people. If you find this happens to you, try to separate the two by a few hours.
No, Zoloft can actually lower your alcohol tolerance. This means you’re more likely to feel “drunk” sooner or more intensely than you would if you weren’t taking it. If you’re just starting Zoloft, be extra careful with how much you drink. Your body will likely react differently to alcohol than it did before you started the medication.
You shouldn’t take Zoloft with other antidepressants that raise serotonin levels. Examples include MAOIs and SNRIs. You should also ask a healthcare professional before combining Zoloft with other medications that increase serotonin levels. These include opioid pain medications, triptan migraine medications, and the over-the-counter supplement St. John’s wort. Zoloft also interacts with blood thinners and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Share a current medication list with your prescriber and pharmacist before starting Zoloft so they can check for interactions.
Yes, it’s generally safe to drink coffee with Zoloft. They aren’t known to interact with each other. In fact, taking Zoloft with your morning cup of coffee can help establish a routine and make it easier to remember your doses. But keep in mind that coffee can make Zoloft’s digestive side effects, such as diarrhea, worse for some people. If you find this happens to you, try to separate the two by a few hours.
The bottom line
Mixing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Zoloft (sertraline), with alcohol can be unsafe. Combining Zoloft and alcohol can lead to excessive or dangerous side effects. Alcohol can also worsen symptoms of depression.
The research isn’t clear on how small amounts of alcohol interact with SSRIs. Overall, it’s best to stay away from drinking alcohol if you’re taking Zoloft or another SSRI. Your prescriber can let you know if an occasional drink may be OK for you.
Why trust our experts?
If you or someone you know struggles with substance misuse, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to learn about resources in your area.
References
Herxheimer, A., et al. (2011). Drinking alcohol during antidepressant treatment — a cause for concern? The Pharmaceutical Journal.
Ledden, S., et al. (2022). Alcohol use and its association with suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts and non-suicidal self-harm in two successive, nationally representative English household samples. BJPsych Open.
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2024). What to avoid with psychiatric medications.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2014). Harmful interactions: Mixing alcohol with medicines. National Institutes of Health.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2024). Aging and alcohol. National Institutes of Health.
PubChem. (2025). Sertraline. National Library of Medicine.
RemedyRepack. (2025). Sertraline- sertraline tablet, film coated [package insert].
